When we built this home 7 years ago, we had 2 ferrets.... we now have 14,
and would have done things a lot different!
 
Here's a list of what we did, and what else would have been done.
 
1) one or two bedrooms designated for ferrets.  Lino on floor running up
like wainscoting to 2 1/2-3 feet... no seams and the molding up high too.
(make sure the builder runs wood around the perimeter at 2 feet (under
the drywall)... that way you can attach clips, and hang or install tubing
with entries and exits all around the room!)
 
2) electrical outlets high
 
3) NO Pergo-like flooring anywhere!!  bad bad bad bad ... bad.
 
4)Doors to all rooms lowered so ferrets cannot snooch under... even the
wee-est of ferts
 
5)fridge, stove,dishwasher, all low, and built-ins enclosed and tight.
 
6) check the back of freestanding fireplace for ferret entries into the
'guts', and ferret-proof with the 1/4 inch metal mesh
 
7) closet doors in ferrets room not sliders!  they are really good at
opening those, so can't store a lot, and there are several corners in
there as well
 
8) If you have the money, do rest of house in tile, or do tile perimeter
with inset carpet... that corner thing again.  Ask to have the grout
'sealed'... but fert poo seems to be able to eat through anything.  go
dark on the grout
 
9) open floor plan, so ferts can play ride the blanket through kitchen,
living room,dining and den (we have that, and it's great!) drag the
tubes also works.
 
10)Area for built in shelves to hold supplies, and toys.
 
11)Child (fert) proof locks on all bath and kitchen cabinets except the
plastic container one.  Make sure drawer above it is unreachable, too
heavy to open (up on the counter!), and has nothing that can harm your
babies.... grandma's linen tablecloth, placemats, you know, stuff a
weasel can curl up in.  If they can open the drawer, and hop up onto the
counter, be very aware that they will push everything off the counters
to listen to it crash!  It's a great ferret game!
 
Are all ferret slaves as bad as us??? Most likely!
Bill, Michelle, and da gang of 14
[Posted in FML issue 4877]